I Walk the Line

October 01, 2003

an anonymous music teacher

To help students remember how to read simple terms such as repeat signs, D.C. al Fine, Fine, etc. I tell them that reading them is like reading a map and following the signs. I give students 'street signs' and they stand in the front of the room the way the signs appear on the page. Then, I review the meaning of the signs and ask a volunteer to walk the route. As they come to a sign, I tell the volunteer to stop, and I ask the class what that sign means and where the volunteer should go next. This helps! I also make up silly associations, such as when they come to D.S., I have them say 'Da Sign' and match it up to the 'silly S sign' to where they should go back.

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